The Effects of Composition on the Physical Properties of Locally Mined Ceramic Clays in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana

Abstract:

This paper reports work done which seeks to enhance the insulating property of locally mined clays with application to the building and insulation of medium temperature furnaces. Mixtures of locally mined clays with kaolin obtained from Teleku bokasso in the Western Region of Ghana were made. Samples were mixed in different ratios to form composite bodies in the form of bricks of dimensions 7mm×7mm×7mm cast at constant pressure and sintering temperature of 1000 °C. The clays used were characterized in terms of their particle size and chemical composition. The thermal resistivity, water absorption, weight loss, shrinkage, porosity and strength of samples were determined. The results showed that for all samples studied, an increase in Teleku bokasso clay enhanced the insulating properties of the samples from an average of 0.24% for samples containing 20% Teleku bokasso to approximately 2% for samples containing 60% of Teleku bokasso. Mixtures of Teleku bokasso with Afari clay were on the average 1% more thermally resistant than those of Mfensi. Sample A3 (with 40% Teleku bokasso with Afari) is recommended for the building of local furnaces because it had its strength more than doubled (105%) and was by 2% more resistant to heat than M3 (40% Teleku bokasso with Mfensi). All samples showed low weight loss levels, low water absorption, good linear shrinkage and compressive strength.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 6)
• Pages: 25-35
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JERA.6.25
• Online since: November 2011
• Authors: S.K. Nimo, P.S. Kwawukume, F. Boakye
• Keywords: Clay, Kaolin, Porosity, Shrinkage, Thermal Resistivity, Water Absorption

References

[1] M. Dietrich, and T. Fett, Ceramics: mechanical properties, failure behaviour, material selection, Springer- Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, (1999).

[2] M. Dondi, F. Mazzanti, P. Principi, M. Raimondo and G. Zanarini, Thermal conductivity of clay bricks, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers 16, 1, (2004), 8-14.

DOI: 10.1061/(asce)0899-1561(2004)16:1(8)

[3] V. Bánhidi, P. Pázmándi, I. Kocserha and L. Gömze, Investigation of the effect generated by the mixing ratio of pore forming additives in traditional brick products changing the pore texture and mechanical properties, Materials Science and Material Processing Technologies, Miskolc (2007).

[4] A. R. Chesti, Refractories: Manufacture, properties and applications, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, (1986).

[5] ASTM International - Standards Worldwide. ASTM C37.

[6] M. Kaviany, Principles of heat transfer in porous media, Springer- Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, 1995. Inserted from http: /books. google. com. gh/books?id =pX61QAOKKqsC&dq (accessed 2009, July 24).

[7] A. Owate, A device for thermal conductivity measurement in a developing economy, Scientific Research and Essay, 2 (4), (2007), 122-126.

[8] J. M. Bhatnagar and R.K. Goel, Thermal changes in clay products from alluvial deposits of the Indo-Gangetic plains. Const. Build. Mat. 16, (2002), 113-122.

DOI: 10.1016/s0950-0618(01)00031-9

[9] K. Sedat, E. Sabit and G. Hikmet, Firing temperature and firing time influence on mechanical and physical properties of clay bricks, Journal of scientific and industrial research, ( National institute of science communication and information resource, New Delhi) 65, (2006).

[10] T. Basegio, F. Berutti, A. Bernardes and C. P. Bergmann, Environmental and technical aspects of the utilization of tannery sludge as a raw material for clay products, J Euro Ceramic Soc. 22, (2002), 2251-2259.

DOI: 10.1016/s0955-2219(02)00024-9

[11] C. H. Weng, D. F. Lin and P. C. Chiang, Utilization of sludge as brick materials. Adv. Environ. Res., 7, (2003), 679-685.

[12] G. Cultrone, E. Sebastian, K. Elert, M. J. Torre, O. Cazalla and C. R. Vavarro, Influence of mineralogy and firing temperature on the porosity of bricks, J Euro Ceramic Soc., 13, (2004), 621-634.

DOI: 10.1016/s0955-2219(03)00249-8

[13] S. R. Teixeira, S. A. de Souza and M. A. L. Nobre, Physical and mechanical properties of ceramics from clays of the west of S. Paulo State. Cerâmica, 50 (2004), 315.

DOI: 10.1590/s0366-69132004000300015